IRVING — The Cowboys’ defensive line had different look at the team’s first organized team activity. Gone were DeMarcus Ware and Jason Hatcher. In were rookie DeMarcus Lawrence and free-agent acquisition Terrell McClain.

Lawrence, the team’s second round pick, was lined up at right defensive end and McClain at the three-technique tackle position. Tyrone Crawford was at left defensive end and Nick Hayden was positioned at the one-technique spot.

This lineup is certainly not set in stone. McClain was filling in for Henry Melton, who did not participate in team drills as he continues to recover from the torn left anterior cruciate ligament he suffered last September.

Crawford was manning the spot typically occupied by George Selvie, who underwent left shoulder surgery in January. And also missing was Jeremy Mincey, who is competing with Lawrence for a starting role. Mincey experienced tightness in his right hamstring last week and is limited.

But he said he was fine watching Lawrence take the first-team repetitions.

“I have been around a while,” Mincey said. “He’s got a lot of catching up to do. But he has a lot of potential and a lot of talent.”

And the coaches apparently have plenty of faith in Lawrence, who was pleased with his first practice with the veterans. Lawrence acknowledged he was “caught off guard at first” when he was told he’d be practicing with the first team.

“But it was a great experience,” he said. “You know you’re going to have some butterflies going in to the first day with the older guys. It felt pretty good.”

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